Native or Cross-Platform: Which to Choose?

Are you interested in having an app created or creating an app on your own? If you’ve started talking to app developers you may have been asked what type of mobile app you want designed.

Of course, if you’ve never been involved in the mobile app development before, you might think to yourself, “there’s more than one kind?” Then the developer starts to explain your options and starts tossing jargon around like cross platform apps and native apps and your dive into the abyss of confusion is complete.

It’s a good idea to get clear on what it is you want before you approach a developer with a request to create an app for you. You’ll need to get familiar with the amount of time each type of app takes to develop, the functionality of each app, the costs involved in their development, and all of the technical requirements that must be met (i.e. ipad compatibility).

Once you familiarize yourself with the types of apps and what they do and do not offer in the way of functionality, you can be more definitive in your discussion with an app developer. You’ll be able to clearly define what you want and how you want it.

Understanding Native Apps

Have you ever heard of Apple and Android downloads? How about Windows downloads? When you have an app made for a specific device or platform (android vs ios), it is a native app (application). Thus, when an app is compatible with a specific device because of its operating system, you have a native app. Examples of a native app include Windows Phone app, Android app, and iOS app.

Pros

When an app is made compatible with a select platform, the developer can use all of the functionalities and features of the platform in the app that’s created.

You can create a native app when you require an application that works well with a specific device, like iPads, Mac computers, or iPhones.

You get more efficient and faster work on whatever native platform you choose.

Your app, when completed, will target the specific audience using the platform of your native app.

Understanding Cross Platform Apps

When a developer uses tools like Sencha, PhoneGap, or Xamarin to create the app you want, this is what is identified as a cross platform application (app). Such apps will work on more than a single platform. For instance, if you have a game you want created, you can have it created as a cross platform app thereby allowing users of Android and Apple devices to download and use the application.

Pros

Business logic location is in a single place.

Code support is simplified.

Functionality testing is less expensive and simplified.

If you require a web application shell absent of alternative device integration, cross platforms are ideal.

The app is created/coded a single time instead of separate times for each platform.

Wider target audience upon app completion since the app will be compatible with multiple platforms.

Things to Consider

Cost: While it may seem like the cross platform option will work out to be the least expensive option for you, it doesn’t really pan out like that and you’ll end up paying more. Consult with your developer and ask what the least expensive solution will be. Just remember that with a cross platform app, you may pay more, but in the end, there’s a bigger target audience so you’ll end up with more bang for your buck.

Features: Talk to the developer about the features associated with each app: Native and cross-platform. Find out what limitations each options have as well. Knowing the app’s functionality will allow you to make a wise decision based on what you want your app to do when it is in the hands of users.

Iterations, Revisions, and Updates - if you are planning to grow and develop your app continuously, you should also mention that to developers who would be able then to offer a suitable solution.

Migration: Think about whether or not you want to be able to migrate your app in the future. Talk to the developer and ask if migration will be possible and if so, what’s involved. For instance, if you start out with a native app for an Android device, can you later migrate and turn it into a cross platform app? What will it take to accomplish this?

Site Design and Responsiveness: Google’s newest algorithm expects that your website be mobile friendly, and if it’s not, you better start upgrading. If you have a website that is not responsive you’ll lose out when it comes to search engine ranking.

Speed – Question how fast the different apps will be. Speed is important when it comes to the user-friendliness of your application.

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Dmytro

Marketing Manager

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